Will Ferrell and Mardi Gras Celebrations Beckon Christian Holiday

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Will Ferrell was named king of the parade, in one of New Orleans Mardi Gras festivals celebrating grandiose before the beginning of Ash Wednesday.

Krewe of Bacchus, is one of many organizations that put on parades for the celebration of Mardi Gras. According to MardiGrasNewOrleans.com the Krewe of Bacchus is one on the most celebrated organizations, after it broke tradition in 1968 with its first introduction of a celebrity king.

"The krewe's large signature floats, Rendezvous supper dance with Las Vegas-type entertainment, and national celebrity monarchs are just a few of the tradition-breaking moves that set the Krewe of Bacchus apart," the site reported.

This year, Will Ferrell was chosen as the king of Bacchus of the parade. "This is such an honor for me. This is my first Mardi Gras. To be, not only here, but to be part of the Bacchus organization. To be King. The King. Hail me," Ferrell said.

Ferrell also reported to Nola.com before the parade began that he had a tinge of nerves. "I don't know what to expect," he said Wednesday. "I do have to say, everybody is coming up to me and ... they have the same speech pattern: They go, 'Have you been here before for Mardi Gras?' And I say, 'No.' Then they pause. 'Oh. You're going to have a good time.'"

"It's slightly ominous, almost like it's going to be fraternity hazing or something. But I don't know what to expect. I'm not going to try to predict (what happens), and I think it's going to be crazy and fun," the actor added.

Mardi Gras, meaning "Fat Tuesday," is the celebration that occurs before Ash Wednesday. Lent marks the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, which is observed by some Christians through fasting as it is believed that Jesus and his disciples fasted for 40 days and nights before Jesus began his public ministry.